UO

Dishylo

dhviel said:

SunflowersBride said:

I always tip well regardless, because servers make like, $2 an hour and rely on their tips to live. So if I were her, I would have been pissed off as well.  But I think restaurants should do away with tipping and just pay their workers more money because of situations like you described.

I think @dishylo is in Canada which makes this entirely different.  Here waitresses are required to make minimum wage - which is, I think, at least $9 in each province.  So tipping here is still very much tied into service.  We tip 10% as a start and then raise or lower based off of service.  Really good service gets an increase and really crappy service gets less.  Until I was on here I never knew that servers in the States made only $2 an hour, so whenever I would go to the States, I would still tip the same.  I'm sure I left a trail of annoyed servers, who actually did really good, behind me because I was a lousy tipper.  Oh well.  Next time I'm in the States I'll do different. 

Just last week we actually didn't tip at all, but it was more of an accident then anything.  The credit machine confused me as to when I was supposed to enter the tip and so I ended up moving past the screen that required the tip, and we didn't have any cash on hand to leave.  That said, even though we would have left at least a couple bucks, our server really wasn't good at all.  She brought my husband the wrong drink, didn't bring some of the things we asked for and never once came to make sure everything was ok.  And we were pretty much her only table.  So even though we wanted to leave a couple bucks we really didn't feel all that bad that we hadn't left anything.

@sunflowersBride and @dhviel - yes I'm in Canada and waitresses here in BC make minimum wage at least ($10.50/hour) but most restaurants pay more, anywhere from $12-$20/hour.

The way I've always looked at it is that a tip is a gratuity; it is something to be earned, not expected.  10% for crappy, barely-there service is pretty good. And it is never acceptable to tell somebody that they didn't tip you enough if the reason was because of your own attitude!!  I think our bill was $600 so she got $60 - not something to laugh at.

It's funny that almost all of the crappy tips we got were from Americans.  I always thought they must include tips down there because most of the time they were lovely and friendly and you'd check the tip which would be like 5%.  Brits were just as bad.

If we go out and get great service, it's 20% easy.  I have no problem tipping when tipping is due.  I do have a problem tipping for crappy service.

ccip82

twobluelines said:

ccip82 said:

 

Also, I hate how this debate turns into hating/bashing on the wealthy argument.

I hope you didn't perceive my comments that way... I don't see it as that... but I do often hear a lot of bashing against the other extreme where people who are in abject poverty, despite working 40 or 70 hours a week a multiple jobs are unable to make ends meet.  This is what the minimum wage in the US does.  In Ontario our minimum wage is over $10 an hour i believe.  I do think that people who work full time should be able to afford to pay their bills, feed their children and heat their homes.

I really did not see it that way. I just felt like the debate based on your comment could head in that direction so I expressed an opinion. I understand where you are coming from and I can see how both people living in poverty and the wealthy can be bashed. It is a shame that the two sides are often pitted against each other.

PreDempsey

@buckeyemommy4 @sugarland426 @mrsjenni @lattelady5Thanks for the input, definitely buying two new ones!

SunflowersBride

ccip82 said:

twobluelines said:

ccip82 said:

 

Also, I hate how this debate turns into hating/bashing on the wealthy argument.

I hope you didn't perceive my comments that way... I don't see it as that... but I do often hear a lot of bashing against the other extreme where people who are in abject poverty, despite working 40 or 70 hours a week a multiple jobs are unable to make ends meet.  This is what the minimum wage in the US does.  In Ontario our minimum wage is over $10 an hour i believe.  I do think that people who work full time should be able to afford to pay their bills, feed their children and heat their homes.

I really did not see it that way. I just felt like the debate based on your comment could head in that direction so I expressed an opinion. I understand where you are coming from and I can see how both people living in poverty and the wealthy can be bashed. It is a shame that the two sides are often pitted against each other.

I think what annoys people is that very wealthy people typically pay less money in taxes (relative to income) than those who make less money (like DH and I, who were basically right at the prime screw job income).  So, they can deduct their vacation homes and boats, and live off their capital gains income (which is taxed much lower than regular income) and yet I can't deduct student loan interest or an IRA contribution.  

I certainly don't mean to come across as begrudging anyone their wealth, and I know most people work very hard for the money they make.  The tax code just doesn't make a lot of sense and really should be simplified (although it will never happen because of special interest groups).

ccip82

My last UO of the day. My MIL buys DD really religious children's books and I think they are really weird and way too old for her. Instead of reading them to her, I make up my own stories to go along with the pictures.

FTR I consider myself a religious person and plan on teaching DD about God, I just do not think she needs to know at this point that Jesus was crucified and other stories from the Bible that might be a bit confusing to a toddler.

 I cringe when DD picks out one of MIL's books...

 

We also have a DVD set of bible stories courtesy of MIL if anyone is interested...new condition never opened

jldubb0626

mrsjenni said:

DD picked out a Sofia the First tutu to wear to her 3rd birthday party in May and I had SUCH a hard time buying it for her.  I did though.

As for bows, I'm talking mostly about this: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123732489/large-turquoise-flower-headband-newborn?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_query=large+baby+bows&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=large+baby+bows

Adorable baby, but her mom should go to prison for putting that bow on her.

Oh man.. I wish I was going to have a girl at some point. That headband ROCKS! #sorryimnotsorry #ilovebigbowsandicannotlie

KristaBelieve

mrsjenni said:

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

KaitiMac said:

I hate pink and just because I'm having a girl doesn't mean I want to dress her in tutus, wild hot pink bows and ballet shit. Stop only selling frilly pink girl gear, all the stores! 

DD didn't wear a single pink outfit until she started picking clothes out herself.  There's a ton of non-pink clothing out there for girls!  No worries mama.  Oh, and she didn't wear those stupid effing ugly bows bigger than her head either.  Or tutu's :::shudders:::

DD picked out a Sofia the First tutu to wear to her 3rd birthday party in May and I had SUCH a hard time buying it for her.  I did though.

As for bows, I'm talking mostly about this: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123732489/large-turquoise-flower-headband-newborn?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search_query=large+baby+bows&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=large+baby+bows

Adorable baby, but her mom should go to prison for putting that bow on her.

My poor niece was dressed up to look like a little trashy Madonna when she was 1, horrible. Bright orange tu-tu with a matching tube top, yes I said tube top. She had on an oversize pearl necklace and a huge ass orange bow covering half her face. I was horrified when I saw it posted on FB. I couldn't even bring myself to "like" the photo.

ccip82

SunflowersBride said:

ccip82 said:

twobluelines said:

ccip82 said:

 

Also, I hate how this debate turns into hating/bashing on the wealthy argument.

I hope you didn't perceive my comments that way... I don't see it as that... but I do often hear a lot of bashing against the other extreme where people who are in abject poverty, despite working 40 or 70 hours a week a multiple jobs are unable to make ends meet.  This is what the minimum wage in the US does.  In Ontario our minimum wage is over $10 an hour i believe.  I do think that people who work full time should be able to afford to pay their bills, feed their children and heat their homes.

I really did not see it that way. I just felt like the debate based on your comment could head in that direction so I expressed an opinion. I understand where you are coming from and I can see how both people living in poverty and the wealthy can be bashed. It is a shame that the two sides are often pitted against each other.

I think what annoys people is that very wealthy people typically pay less money in taxes (relative to income) than those who make less money (like DH and I, who were basically right at the prime screw job income).  So, they can deduct their vacation homes and boats, and live off their capital gains income (which is taxed much lower than regular income) and yet I can't deduct student loan interest or an IRA contribution.  

I certainly don't mean to come across as begrudging anyone their wealth, and I know most people work very hard for the money they make.  The tax code just doesn't make a lot of sense and really should be simplified (although it will never happen because of special interest groups).

I totally agree with your first paragraph and the US's ineffective tax code.

What I have seen too often of late is people bashing anyone who happens to make a decent living. I think the term "wealthy" is so loosely defined too. What one person's definition of wealthy can be entirely different than another's.

mrsjenni

Then my UO is... big bows on baby's look... trashy.  And it makes me feel bad for the kid. #sorry #kinda #okaynotreally 

Dishylo

@ccip82 - have you or DH talked to your MIL about it?!

I'm not religious at all but I'm down with other people having their beliefs..... I don't know what I'd do if I received religious gifts.  I think I'd probably just take them to the local charity shop lol!

ccip82

Dishylo said:

@ccip82 - have you or DH talked to your MIL about it?!

I'm not religious at all but I'm down with other people having their beliefs..... I don't know what I'd do if I received religious gifts.  I think I'd probably just take them to the local charity shop lol!

No... in order to keep the peace I will not say anything. It is not a huge deal. Thankfully, it is not a lot of books/DVDs. I have mentioned to MIL in past that DD does not need anymore books/DVDs/clothes. That and the fact that we live so far away from the ILs helps to keep MIL in check.

 

sugarland726

Dishylo said:

@ccip82 - have you or DH talked to your MIL about it?!

I'm not religious at all but I'm down with other people having their beliefs..... I don't know what I'd do if I received religious gifts.  I think I'd probably just take them to the local charity shop lol!

@ccip82. We got one book from SIL that was religious. We just thanked her and pushed it to the back. My MIL, SIL, and BIL are all very religious and we are not fans of organized religion. However we both believe in God and want DD to. So we just started teaching her about Jesus and bought a couple of books, including a toddler's bible. I have to hide it from the family because if they saw it they would go crazy over it thinking we converted.

Also, I love that you're back, if only for a day.

bookkitten

KristaBelieve said:

My poor niece was dressed up to look like a little trashy Madonna when she was 1, horrible. Bright orange tu-tu with a matching tube top, yes I said tube top. She had on an oversize pearl necklace and a huge ass orange bow covering half her face. I was horrified when I saw it posted on FB. I couldn't even bring myself to "like" the photo.

Is it wrong that I'd love to see that??

Winnieella

I like tu-tus but not for babies. 

ac1259

SunflowersBride said:

litzo27 said:

My UO is that in the US too many people go to college, and specifically incur debt to go to college. Oh and I think at least the last year of high-school should be optional and kid should be able to opt out of it and enroll in technical/vocational 1-2 year schools instead.

This is definitely true, but the problem is that study after study concludes that even going into debt to pay for college is worth it, because you will make a lot more money over a lifetime than those who do not go.  I think it's definitely silly that jobs that could easily be done with no degree now require a degree, and I also do not believe everyone should go to college.  The fact that everyone goes to college is what is inflating the cost of tuition, because it's now seen as essential.  But you end up with a lot of people who shouldn't have gone in the first place, and possibly get suckered into for-profit schools that cost a lot but have a low graduation rate, and then they don't graduate but still have a ton of debt and can't find a job.  Vicious cycle.

Ok so I don't know where the exact study is but I'm sure my husband could find it because he's told me this a million times. It's getting to the point where its not actually beneficial to go to college and incur the debt. Personally, I think the cost of college is the issue and people pushing their kids into going to college even if it means debt. Neither DH's or my parents paid for our college and we started off our marriage with a ton of debt. With a shit ton of luck we've dug our way maybe 3/4 of the way out but if DH wasn't incredibly talented with his job that never would've happened. I think that I'm going to encourage my kids to know what they want to do before they start going to college just to go, and also if they don't feel like college is the right thing for them, encourage them in their other endeavors. 

I've seen way too many people spend over 100K in  college for degrees wind up not wanting job in that field or not actually being able to get a job. My best friend had to go for a master's degree to be able to make more than your average fast food worker in her field. I think there are a ton of issues with our college system and pay scales in the US, but honestly nobody really seems to have any idea how to make it better. So I guess we'll see how it goes continuing like this!

apickett925

MrsJWoodJr said:

I like tu-tus but not for babies. 

How about on dogs?  

KristaBelieve

bookkitten said:

KristaBelieve said:

My poor niece was dressed up to look like a little trashy Madonna when she was 1, horrible. Bright orange tu-tu with a matching tube top, yes I said tube top. She had on an oversize pearl necklace and a huge ass orange bow covering half her face. I was horrified when I saw it posted on FB. I couldn't even bring myself to "like" the photo.

Is it wrong that I'd love to see that??

Took me a while to find it.  Since she is my neice, I tried to find the cutest of the bunch but there are some where she was posed with on her elbows with a come hither look...

salsamommy

FSUNole31 said:

Even though I don't like fruit/animals whatever on the butt of onesies, I think jeans with designs on the back pockets (especially with bling) are cute. I am talking about adult jeans too..just in case it was confusing because I mentioned baby clothes.

:-O Disagree for both!!!  The fruit no, but the little animals on the butt are adorable! Especially when they start moving around and the puffy diaper butt is up in the air, it's just melts my heart!!

gina0485

litzo27 said:

My UO is that in the US too many people go to college, and specifically incur debt to go to college. Oh and I think at least the last year of high-school should be optional and kid should be able to opt out of it and enroll in technical/vocational 1-2 year schools instead.

Agree wholeheartedly. So many professions that SHOULD NOT require a degree suddenly want college grads. The biggest business in America? College education. Can't financially survive without it by the standards we've set. It's a huge ludicrous scheme for many. Don't take this to mean I don't agree in college education- I just don't believe in it as a necessity for ALL.

apickett925

KristaBelieve said:

Took me a while to find it.  Since she is my neice, I tried to find the cutest of the bunch but there are some where she was posed with on her elbows with a come hither look...

yeah, might be an UO, but I don't really see anything wrong with her outfit for a birthday, as long as it's not an every day kind of thing- then they might get a side-eye.  
I have a friend whose baby girl came out with the hair of a toddler.  That little girl had headbands with big flowers since birth and has had big flower clips in her hair since about 3 months old and still loves them at a year and a half.

bookkitten

OMG. She is freakin' adorable? For Halloween, this might be fantastic. For any other day, maybe not so much, but she's still adorable. You totes made my day @KristaBelieve!

Deblondie1

@KaitiMac I actually make all of her tutus and bows lol I never noticed if there are other options.

ac1259

MarBee1214 said:

ac1259 said:

SunflowersBride said:

litzo27 said:

My UO is that in the US too many people go to college, and specifically incur debt to go to college. Oh and I think at least the last year of high-school should be optional and kid should be able to opt out of it and enroll in technical/vocational 1-2 year schools instead.

This is definitely true, but the problem is that study after study concludes that even going into debt to pay for college is worth it, because you will make a lot more money over a lifetime than those who do not go.  I think it's definitely silly that jobs that could easily be done with no degree now require a degree, and I also do not believe everyone should go to college.  The fact that everyone goes to college is what is inflating the cost of tuition, because it's now seen as essential.  But you end up with a lot of people who shouldn't have gone in the first place, and possibly get suckered into for-profit schools that cost a lot but have a low graduation rate, and then they don't graduate but still have a ton of debt and can't find a job.  Vicious cycle.

Ok so I don't know where the exact study is but I'm sure my husband could find it because he's told me this a million times. It's getting to the point where its not actually beneficial to go to college and incur the debt. Personally, I think the cost of college is the issue and people pushing their kids into going to college even if it means debt. Neither DH's or my parents paid for our college and we started off our marriage with a ton of debt. With a shit ton of luck we've dug our way maybe 3/4 of the way out but if DH wasn't incredibly talented with his job that never would've happened. I think that I'm going to encourage my kids to know what they want to do before they start going to college just to go, and also if they don't feel like college is the right thing for them, encourage them in their other endeavors. 

I've seen way too many people spend over 100K in  college for degrees wind up not wanting job in that field or not actually being able to get a job. My best friend had to go for a master's degree to be able to make more than your average fast food worker in her field. I think there are a ton of issues with our college system and pay scales in the US, but honestly nobody really seems to have any idea how to make it better. So I guess we'll see how it goes continuing like this!

If my kids can't figure out what they want to do before the graduate high school, I will not be encouraging them to jump into a university. Take a few pre-requisites at community college while you decide or just get a job until you decide.  DH just got his bachelors right away not knowing what to do with it and ended up in police academy 4 years later making a huge career change from being an auditor.  He wishes he would have just done army reserves or something right out of hs instead so he wouldn't have racked up the debt and then could have paid his way easily through police academy.  I, on the other hand was 100% positive about wanting to be a nurse so I went straight for my BSN, knowing it would be a requirement at most hospitals in 5 years.  It was worth the debt I got into because I was easily able to find a good job right out of college.

Same here! Except my DH got his job in IT/IS out of high school but thought he should go to college. He actually took a break a year right before we met and got the job at the company that he is with now. Both of us fully believe he really wouldn't be very far behind where he is now even if he hadn't gotten the degree, and he's doing very well for a 27 year old. He basically went back to college because I was there and I always feel bad about that. He's very self taught though so his computer science degree really didn't teach him much. 

I on the other hand went to be a nurse, got my BSN and had a job set up for when I graduated during my junior year of college. Plus I got $10,000 in scholarships from the hospital I was going to work for and they were in the middle of a hiring freeze when I graduated so I was lucky I had the scholarship, they definitely wanted to employ me so they didn't lose their money! I also had a job during school that paid $15 an hour as a student...so the degree was definitely worth it for me. 

KristaBelieve

bookkitten said:

OMG. She is freakin' adorable? For Halloween, this might be fantastic. For any other day, maybe not so much, but she's still adorable. You totes made my day @KristaBelieve!

I love her to death and she is really cute.  I feel bad for blasting her mom but when I hear big ass bow I think of this photo shoot. 

ccip82

rgoblue said:

My UO: There was a whole thread on this yesterday... I really don't mind when people tell me how I don't "look pregnant" yet. Yea, having a bump will be fun when it finally comes, but I pride myself on my health and fitness and plan to stay that way. I think it's weird people expect you to just change all of your habits just because you are pregnant.

I do not think you meant the bolded part the way it came out, but I do not think the size of your bump necessarily correlates to how much you work out. I would consider myself pretty active and in shape and my body definitely changes pretty quickly when I am pregnant. My bump has popped and I have lost a bit of muscle tone and gained some fat. I think it has more to do with how your body carries the baby and reacts to pregnancy. I do think being fit and working out during pregnancy helps though

ac1259

BTW flame away but I love all thinks pink and girly! The "larger than their heads" headbands bug me a bit...but this is the outfit I bought for DD's birthday on Etsy! I can't wait for it to come:) 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122173327/heart-owl-birthday-oufit?ref=col_view

I definitely want to take advantage of another little girl by buying a ton of cute hats for this new LO...I didn't for DD and now I wish I did, but she absolutely hates hats

Deblondie1

Oh you know what I should have posted a picture of? E's first birthday outfit. @mrsjenni you would JUDGE me harshly lol

ac1259

@Deblondie1- E is soo cute in that picture with her little wings and tutu! I love it!

BuckeyeMommy4

Deblondie1 said:

Oh you know what I should have posted a picture of? E's first birthday outfit. @mrsjenni you would JUDGE me harshly lol

This is my E's first birthday outfit for this weekend. I think it's pretty plain compared to some! I picked a different bow though. https://www.etsy.com/transaction/140286849

casholmes

Not going to quote b/c at this point there's too many comments but-

I can't help but be a little upset at some of the things said regarding fast food and retail work. I work in a fast food restaurant and I work just as hard as anyone else. And as someone who was recently promoted and then cheated out of the raise that should have come with it- yeah, I think that minimum wage should be brought up a bit more! Maybe not $15 an hour, and certainly not as a starting wage, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen coworkers in tears because their paycheck just isn't enough to cover everything they need. We have people coming up begging for more hours that we just can't give them. 

And for some of us, it IS a career, and it's not less valid than any other one! I have coworkers that have been at our store upwards of 10 years, and still make barely more than min wage. And then those same people are shamed when they need assistance like food stamps. :-/  And on top of that anyone and everyone thinks they can treat us badly or like we're idiots because we're 'only fast food workers'. It's just upsetting. /end rant

forevergraceful

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

Pilots that work on the smaller planes start out making $16-23 per hour. They only get paid by flight hour and can usually work around 80 hours per month. That's like average $20000 per year starting. 

While I do agree that minimum wage should be increased, $15 per hour is absurd. Many of the fast food jobs do have opportunity for growth and higher wages, especially because they have such a high turnover rate. 

mrsjenni

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

Oh you know what I should have posted a picture of? E's first birthday outfit. @mrsjenni you would JUDGE me harshly lol

This is my E's first birthday outfit for this weekend. I think it's pretty plain compared to some! I picked a different bow though. https://www.etsy.com/transaction/140286849

I like the shirt, lol!  I'm sure it will look adorable on her!  Big bows/flowers bother me more than tutu's... I can kinda get the tutu thing.  I just think the BIG GINORMOUS bows/flowers are unnecessary.  They make cute little ones!

ccip82

BalletLover said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

Pilots that work on the smaller planes start out making $16-23 per hour. They only get paid by flight hour and can usually work around 80 hours per month. That's like average $20000 per year starting. 

While I do agree that minimum wage should be increased, $15 per hour is absurd. Many of the fast food jobs do have opportunity for growth and higher wages, especially because they have such a high turnover rate. 

Completely agree, my brother is a pilot for a cargo company trying to build up his hours to fly for a major airline. In the first couple years, he made such a pitiful amount, that he qualified for food stamps. To top it off, he has his flight school debt that he has to pay off which easily totals more than $100,000

MrsGraham06

litzo27 said:

ccip82 said:

Also, I hate how this debate turns into hating/bashing on the wealthy argument.

@ccip82 Agree 100%. I also really dislike the statement like "all executives are ridiculously overpaid". Yes, there have been a few bad apples who were straight up skammers (*Skilling*cough*Kozlowski*cough) who give a bad name to all executives. But those aside, these guys/ladies have ridiculously difficult jobs. If you talk to any executive recruiter they will tell you how unbelievable hard it is to get people who are qualified to be CEOs/CFOs/COOs. So yes, in the liquid labor market they have to be compensated to go where they are wanted.

p.s. and no I'm not an executive. And would never want to be one.

DH is doing his best to be a CEO, of his own company, and dammit, he's working hard. My life is pretty much hell with him trying to get this business going, and so is his. He's never home, so never helps with the kids. He's overworked, trying to work 2 other jobs so we can pay bill until the company gets going. And when we have all that extra money, we're going to use it to improve others' lives. We'll be the ones tipping $1000, we'll be the ones giving scholarships to the local students, we'll be the ones "taking care of" our town, our families, and yes, definitely having fun. I plan on enjoying every spare minute, every purchase, every bit of fun that comes from his business.

Winnieella

apickett925 said:

MrsJWoodJr said:

I like tu-tus but not for babies. 

How about on dogs?  

That's cute. Even though I don't like tu-tus for babies, if I have a girl, I'm so making a packer one for the packer games. 

Deblondie1

BuckeyeMommy4 said:

Oh you know what I should have posted a picture of? E's first birthday outfit. @mrsjenni you would JUDGE me harshly lol

This is my E's first birthday outfit for this weekend. I think it's pretty plain compared to some! I picked a different bow though. https://www.etsy.com/transaction/140286849

That is really similar to what E wore! Except instead of a bow she wore a party hat with pink boa around it. And matching ribbon-y shoes. https://www.etsy.com/transaction/76150676?ref=fb2_tnx_title

pennstated912

@casholmes - I agree that is a career for many. The manager of my old store started out as a cart attendant and after 15 years worked his way up to the executive level which makes over $70k a year. He said that this is what he went to school to do and he wouldn't have wanted to do anything else with his career. He works harder than any manager I know.

forevergraceful

BalletLover said:

ccip82 said:

My UO...

I recently read a news article where fast food workers are going on strike for a raise and they want $15 an hour-which equates to $31,000 a year. As a former teacher, my starting off salary was not that much more than that and I find it effing ridiculous.

Especially when majority of the time my order is somehow fucked up anyway...

Before I sound like a heartless bitch, yes the minimum raise should be raised- but honestly there are many professions that are grossly underpaid that deserve more attention...

Pilots that work on the smaller planes start out making $16-23 per hour. They only get paid by flight hour and can usually work around 80 hours per month. That's like average $20000 per year starting. 

While I do agree that minimum wage should be increased, $15 per hour is absurd. Many of the fast food jobs do have opportunity for growth and higher wages, especially because they have such a high turnover rate. 

Yup, it is crazy how much debt they have coming out of school and while building flight hours. My husband is an aircraft mechanic. He luckily was able to get his license for free while attending high school. Most of his coworkers started with $30k-$50k in loans, again starting for $11-15 per hour. 

I guess my point is (this isn't toward you @ccip82, I know you don't disagree), that the fast food industry workers need to stick it out to make a salary that is equivilent to their experience/education. Jobs such as pilot and a/c mechanics are great jobs, but they have to put their time in, like years and years, before it pays off. 

wedbliss5

 

pennstated912 said:

@casholmes - I agree that is a career for many. The manager of my old store started out as a cart attendant and after 15 years worked his way up to the executive level which makes over $70k a year. He said that this is what he went to school to do and he wouldn't have wanted to do anything else with his career. He works harder than any manager I know.

This is a career - being a cart attendant for 15 years is not a career.  You highlighted my point exactly!

LimeDrops

I'm so late to the game today. My family is very polarized... High level execs at major corporations, and blue collar factory workers whose retirement funds were blown by corporate scandal. I see all sides every day. I will say this. Do highly paid execs work their rear ends off every single day, deal with obscene levels of stress and consequences, and are expected to participate in lifestyle and activities that cost? Absolutely. It's hard. They're not just sitting there twiddling thumbs making bank. There are a lot of personal sacrifices. Do they deserve to be highly compensated? Absolutely. Has it gotten to a ridiculous level, though? Absolutely. There's a point where it's incentive to better yourself and true compensation for duties, and there's a point where it's excessive and draining to average Joe who works 70 hours a week to pay his bills despite stellar reviews and decades of loyal service. I just don't understand why it has to be so INCREDIBLY polarized. And I think both sides get way too defensive and it gives me a headache.